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(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

L. v. BENET & H. A. MERGIE. GARTRIDGE FEED BELT.

No. 595,518. Patented Dec. 14, 1897.

14 Yin e sses fflzgveraliiis (No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

L. v. BBNET & A. MERGIE. CARTRIDGE FEED BELT.

No. 595,518. Patented Dec. 14,1897.

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mhzess 5;-

(No Model.) 3 Sl 1eetSSheet s.

L. v. BENET & H. A. MERGIE. CARTRIDGE FEED BELT.

No. 595,518. Patented Dec. 14, 1897.

Fig: 15.

NrTEn STATES PATENT Finc LAURENCE V. BENFJT AND HENRI A. MERCIE, OF PARIS, FRANCE, AS-

SIGNORS TO THE HOTOHKISS ORDNANOE COMPANY, LIMITED, OF

LONDON, ENGLAND.

CARTRIDGE-FEED BELT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 595,518, dated December 14, 1897.

Application filed S p b 7, 1897- fierial No. 650,833. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that we, LAURENCE V. BENFT, a citizen of the United States, and HENRI A. MERCIE, a citizen of the Republic of France, both residing at Paris, in the Republic of France, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Cartridge-Carrying Belts Used in Feeding Automatic Machine-Guns with Cartridges, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to cartridgecarrying belts used in feeding automatic machine-guns, and more particularly to that kind of belt described in our former Letters Patent, dated July 14, 1896, No. 564,043. As distinguished from the feed-strip described in the said patent, the belt constructed in accordance with the present improvements is neither formed of a single straight piece of metal of limited length and more or less elastic, as shown in Figure 64 of the said patent, nor of a series of individually-formed cartridge-carriers which are linked more or less flexibly together, as shown in Fig. 67 of the said patent, but is formed of individual cartridge-carriers of an improved construction, which are slipped or threaded onto one or more longitudinal bands or ribbons of metal for uniting the carriers together side by side into a flexible belt.

A feed-belt constructed in accordance with the present improvements affords the advantage of being highly flexible without presenting any risk of tearing the carriers apart, as is likely to be the case with the feed-belt shown in Fig. 67 of the said patent, particularly if it be considered that the feed strip or belt is pulled through the automatic machinegun with considerable violence. Moreover, a feed-belt as herein constructed enables of its being readily utilized in the form of a coil of long dimensions capable of being wound in a drum placed alongside of the gun. Furthermore, the individual carriers as herein constructed are strong and capable of readily resisting the wear and tear they are subjected to by the device operating in the gun for feeding the cartridge-carrying belt or strip therethrough.

The improved construction of cartridgecarrying belt is particularly intended to be used with the well-known I-Iotchkiss automatic machine-gun; but it is obvious that it is capable of being used with any other kind of machine-gun.

In the accompanying drawings we have shown the various phases for the manufacture of this improved cartridge-carrying feedbelt, as well as the completed belt itself, all in full size.

Fig. 1 is a plan showing a portion of the completed belt, comprising four cartrid ge-carriers. Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows. Fig. 3 is a section on the broken line 3 3 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows. Figs. 4, 5, and 6 are plans, and Figs. 7 to 14 are perspective views, showing the successive phases of manufacture. Figs. 15 and 16 show an improved tongue for facilitating the introduction of the feed-belt into the machinegun.

A blank 1 assuming the shape shown in Fig. 4 is first produced, after which two slots 2 2 are punched out, Fig. 5, nicks are made at 3 3 3 3, and incisions at 4 4, Fig. 6. The clips 5, 6-, and'7, by means of which the cartridge is to be held, are then bent over, as in Fig. 7 and the lips 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13 are bent down, as in Fig. 8,whereupon the blank itself is bent into the position shown in Fig. 9 and then into the position shown in Fig. 10, after which it is ready to be slipped onto two long metallic bands or ribbons 14 15, as shown in Fig. 11. When the blank has reached that stage of manufacture, the lips 8, 9, 12, and 13 are bent over against the body of the blank 1 and the lips 1O 11 are likewise bent down in such a manner as to cause them to enter the slots 2 2, as shown in Fig. 12, after which a lip 16 is bent up against the clip 6 and acts to reinforce the clip 6, against which operates the feed-wheel or other actuating device of the machine-gun for feeding the cartridge-carrying belt through the mechanism of the gun, as will be readily un-.

derstood on referring to our said prior patent.

The cartridge-carrier is now completed and only requires to be securely attached to the bands 14 15. This is accomplished as regards the band 14 by producing a depression at 17, Figs. 1 and 2, so as to disturb the three thicknesses of metal and unite them firmly, and as regards the band 15 by punching the three thicknesses through at 18 to form a projection 19, against which rests the head of the cartridge 20, as shown in Fig. 1.

In Figs. 15 and 16 we have shown in plan and elevation an improved tongue on the end of the belt, the said tongue acting to facilitate the introduction of the belt into the machine-gun.

The band 15 is extended a short distance beyond the first cartridge-carrier 1 of the series on the belt, and to the said extension is fastened, by means of a covering-plate 21 and rivets or screws 22, a band of leather, soft rubber, canvas, or other suitable flexible material 23, having a tapered tip 24 of metal or other suitable substance.

\Vhat we claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A cartridgecarrier formed of a blank, bent over upon itself at the ends and secured together, and having clips to hold the cartridge, substantially as described.

2. A cartridge-carrier formed of a blank having clips to hold the cartridge, and lips at the ends thereof, the said blank being bent over upon itself near the ends, and the said lips bent over the central portion of the blank to hold the ends down, substantially as described.

3. A cartridge-carrier formed of a blank having clips to hold the cartridge, lips at and near the ends thereof, and slots in the central portion; the said blank being bent over upon itself near the ends, and the said lips being bent over the edges of the central portion of the blank, and two of the lips entering the said slots to hold the ends down, substantially as described.

4:. A cartridge-carrier formed of a blank having clips to hold the cartridge, and lips at and near the ends thereof, the said blank being bent over upon itself near the ends, and the said lips being bent over the edges of the central portion of the blank to hold the ends down, and one of the said lips being bent up against one of the said clips to reinforce the same, substantially as described.

5. In a feed-belt for automatic machineguns, the combination with two bands; of cartridge-carriers formed of blanks bent over upon themselves and secured together, and having clips to hold the cartridge; the said cartridge-carriers being placed upon the said bands, and means for securing the carriers to the said bands, substantially as described.

6. In a feed-belt for automatic machineguns, the combination with two bands; of cartridge-carriers formed of blanks having clips to hold the cartridges and lips near the ends thereof; the said blanks being bent over upon themselves and the said lips bent over the central portion thereof; the said carriers being placed upon the said bands; and means for securing the said carriers to the said bands, substantially as described.

7 In a feed-band for automatic machineguns, the combination with two bands; of cartridge-carriers formed of blanks having clips to hold the cartridges and lips near the ends thereof; the said blanks being bent over upon themselves and the said lips bent over the central portion thereof; one of the said lips being bent against one of the clips to reinforce the same; the said carriers being placed upon the said bands and means for securing the said carriers to the said bands, substantially as described.

8. In a feed-band for automatic machineguns, the combination with two bands; of cartridge-carriers formed of blanks having clips to hold the cartridges and lips near the ends thereof; the said blanks being bent over upon themselves and the said lips bent over the central part thereof; the said carriers being placed upon the said bands; means for securing the said carriers to the said bands, and a lug 19 formed on the carriers, substantially as described.

9. In a feed-band for automatic machineguns, the combination With two bands; of cartridge-carriers formed of blanks having clips to hold the cartridges and lips near the ends thereof; the said blanks being bent over upon themselves and the said lips bent over the central part thereof; the said carriers being placed upon the said bands; means for securing the said carriers to the said bands, and a flexible band 23 secured to the said belt, substantially as described.

10. A feed belt for automatic machineguns, consisting of two bands; distinct cartridge-carriers secured to the said bands; each of saidcarriers being formed of a blank doubled over upon itself, and having clips to hold the cartridges; and a lip laid against one of the said clips for reinforcing the latter, substantially as described.

11. A feed belt for automatic machineguns, consisting of two bands; distinct cartridge-carriers secured to the said bands; each of said carriers being formed of a blank doubled over upon itself, and having clips on the central portion to hold the cartridge, and slots also in the central portion and lips on the bent-over portions to engage the said slots, substantially as described.

12. A feed belt for automatic machineguns, consisting of two bands; distinct cartridge-carriers secured to the said bands; each of said carriers being formed of a blank doubled over upon itself, and having clips on the central portion to hold the cartridge; and lips on the bent-over portion to engage the central portion, one of the said lips being laid against one of the said clips, substantially as described.

13. A feed belt for automatic machineguns, consisting of two bands; distinct cartridge-carriers secured to the said bands; our hands, this 26th day of August, 1897, in each of said carriers being formed of a blank presence of two subscribing witnesses.

doubled over upon itself, and having clips to hold the cartridges; a lip laid against one of 5 the said clips, and a flexible band '23 secured to one end of the belt, substantially as de- Witnesses:

scribed. Sz. HERYNGFET,

In Witness whereof we have hereunto set CHARLES KURER. 

